hello to all,
It is with grand delight, that, I report the results of our second attempt with our small scale experiment:

The hopes, of my mentor, my self, our team, and, I am hoping, some of you, have been met, and, somewhatly, exceeded!!

We have finalized the re-testing and experimental process of the project. All measurements have been confirmed and verified. We also compared to the first, truncated (due to faulty hardware), test.

I am reporting this to you, as soon as we now have verified our results.
This, to hopefully demonstrate my personal feeling that you all, here, are interested. Also, in some way, to becoming involved, even if by only reading.

some of you, though, have already helped, in substantive ways:
I refer to Dusty Bacon, for his recent soil sampling and rapidly shipment to us for testing.
As we had hoped, the soil chemistry and physical properties, seem, almost ideal. By far, the best, most compatible materials we've tested.
I also appreciate the many offers of help, I have received, via PM or openly, here.
Some, I must assume, are serious, but seeming to attempt humor, as well.
I refer to Ygmir as I seem unable to, at times, understand the attempts at wit. I will study American humor, and, one day, be able to respond, in kind. Also, Goathead and Gyre and the others here:
The banter you all engage in, helps me feeling much more at ease in our dealings. Now, I only wish I could understand and contribute.
I will work towards that end.

This, I am hoping, will enthuse our leader, to approve second phase testing on your playa.

I am working, alone, with regard to this group, Eplaya, and, will, hopefully soon, report to my superior, my mentor, of the assistance and support, available to us, by using your playa as a site for second phase testing.
I may, at a point, ask that some here may be willing to write a small declarative statement regarding any interest, enthusiasm or willingness to observing, co-operate or assist in our work.
This, will do much to convince the upper echelon of our group, I believe, to approve a trip to your playa.

I must admit, that, I am becoming somewhat biased in my enthusiasm for testing there, as I read the threads here on eplaya, and, other research into your festival.
I am at such a loss, or perhaps it is merely cultural differences, to understand how all that I read of this festival, can be true.
The freedom of expression and uninhibited enjoyment of activities, and other persons, seems so "un-controlled", that, I am having difficulty comprehending it's existence, without, seemingly, any oversight or authority figures.
I will look forward (in my hopes) to participating, though, as time allows.
Assuming we are allowed to conduct our testing there and are allowed free time for ourselves, during same.

For now, this is my report.

Please, openly to post questions and comments here.
I will use them, at a later date, in attempting to convince my mentor that your playa is the preferable test site.

This will be preferable to PMing, in my opinion, in that it is not, and would not seem, solicited or privileged conversation.

Sensational news, Kvon! You must be jumping for joy and I hope that you are also finding time to rest and recoup as you have no doubt been putting a great deal of time into the project.

As for me, I am just finishing up my grant proposal for the Ein Hammer project. Please check the PM I sent you with the text I hope to include explaining the possible collaberation of our efforts. It would be a wonderful hybrid of art and science that is, in many ways, very cohesive with this year's Burning Man theme, "Metropolis, The Life of Cities".

We should also talk about the American electrical standards of 110 VAC, 60 HZ and plug recepticles that match our electrical appliances that are no doubt different from your German standards. What manner of DC to AC power conversion would be the most efficient so there are no interruptions in the public use of the power "grid" on the playa?

I know you have your own funding for the testing phase, but I am reliant on the generosity of the Burning Man organization if my artistic dream is to manifest this year. I invite you to browse the new updates on our progress blog at www.mutantvehicle.com/ein_hammer_progress.htm .

kvon wrote:...I am at such a loss, or perhaps it is merely cultural differences, to understand how all that I read of this festival, can be true.The freedom of expression and uninhibited enjoyment of activities, and other persons, seems so "un-controlled", that, I am having difficulty comprehending it's existence, without, seemingly, any oversight or authority figures...

Well, I assure you of two things;

1) whatever conception you might have, it is far from the reality of BM. The reality will either be far better or far worse than you now imagine (most likely far better).

2) there are authority figures on the Playa (many of them), and they love to write tickets and arrest serious law-breakers...though serious crime is rare.

Usually the advice is for 1st-timers (called "virgins") to NOT bring a major project, due to the extreme sensory and physiological overload. Be sure to NOT miss-underestimate the logistical issues either (they can break you long before you see the gleaming neon wonder of the Man set against the splendor of the Playa).

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.

kvon wrote:...I am at such a loss, or perhaps it is merely cultural differences, to understand how all that I read of this festival, can be true.The freedom of expression and uninhibited enjoyment of activities, and other persons, seems so "un-controlled", that, I am having difficulty comprehending it's existence, without, seemingly, any oversight or authority figures...

Well, I assure you of two things;

1) whatever conception you might have, it is far from the reality of BM. The reality will either be far better or far worse than you now imagine (most likely far better).

2) there are authority figures on the Playa (many of them), and they love to write tickets and arrest serious law-breakers...though serious crime is rare.

Usually the advice is for 1st-timers (called "virgins") to NOT bring a major project, due to the extreme sensory and physiological overload. Be sure to NOT miss-underestimate the logistical issues either (they can break you long before you see the gleaming neon wonder of the Man set against the splendor of the Playa).

Too true, Jafe. As you recall, I built a mutant vehicle to take to my first burn. The one thing I did right (for me) was train a bunch of other drivers in my camp, and the best feeling in the world was handing over the keys and watching it blink off around a corner. That's when my burn REALLY began.

Some of us, (you included?) were attracted to Burning Man in our humble beginnings by the opportunity to gift and participate in it's creation above all else. As you, Kvon, are already showing signs of this fascination, I completely identify with you, and can't say enough how Jafe's words are worth your deep consideration. If you do join us on the playa, make absolutely sure it does not end up all work and no play-- your work IS play if you set it up right, jah?

Kvon: I have recently submitted our grant application for consideration of the Ein Hammer project by the Burning Man organization in which I was sure to make mention a possible collaboration between our two respective projects. One of the elements of the proposal includes their heavy equipment services as I think having the use of cranes, loaders, and especially trenching equipment could have mutual advantage. I likely won't hear back from them until much later in the month. I'll be sure to inform you if they show any interest or support. If you have not already seen it over on the Ein Hammer thread, here's the demonstration video to which there is a link in the proposal:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFNEgki9EqU[/youtube]

Now it's time for me to rest and reflect. I'll even be making a little solo trip out to the Black Rock Desert this weekend to clear my head and reconnect with the playa. I'm lucky to live so close. Do you now have all the soil samples you need? If not, I'd be happy to scrape up some more playa dust for you, though I don't have any of the coring equipment that the other guys who sent it to you have. Just let me know.